EmEase offers several customization options to tailor your processing experience to your preferences and needs. This guide explains each setting and how to adjust it for optimal results.
Accessing Session Setup
To configure your session settings:
Tap the Session tab in the bottom navigation
Select a target or choose "Quick Session"
Rate your current distress level
Complete any optional grounding exercises
You'll then see the Session Setup screen with customization options
Session Duration
This setting determines how long your processing session will last.
Available options:
5 minutes (recommended for beginners)
10 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Custom duration (set your own time)
How to adjust:
Tap the duration field
Select your preferred time from the options
For custom duration, enter your desired time in minutes
Tips:
Start with shorter sessions (5-10 minutes) if you're new to self-EMDR
Gradually increase duration as you become more comfortable
Longer isn't always better—quality of processing matters more than quantity
Processing Sets
Processing sets allow you to create rhythmic pauses during your session, similar to the sets used in clinical EMDR.
Options:
Enable Sets: Toggle on/off to activate processing sets
Set Interval Time: How long each continuous bilateral stimulation period lasts before pausing
How to adjust:
Toggle "Enable Sets" to on
Tap "Set Interval Time"
Choose your preferred interval (typically 25-45 seconds)
The app will automatically pause between sets
Benefits of using sets:
Creates natural processing rhythms
Allows brief moments to notice changes
Prevents overwhelm during longer sessions
More closely mimics clinical EMDR protocols
Movement Speed
This setting controls how quickly the bilateral stimulus (visual ball or audio tones) moves from side to side.
Speed options:
Slow
Medium
Fast
Custom
How to adjust:
Tap the speed field
Select your preferred speed
For custom speed, use the slider to fine-tune
Finding your optimal speed:
The ideal speed feels engaging but not distracting
Most users find medium speed most comfortable
If you find yourself zoning out, try increasing the speed
If you feel anxious watching the movement, try decreasing the speed
Movement Pattern
EmEase offers different bilateral stimulation patterns to suit your preferences.
Available patterns:
Horizontal: The stimulus moves in a simple left-to-right pattern
Hourglass: The stimulus moves in a figure-eight pattern
How to adjust:
Tap the pattern field
Select your preferred movement pattern
Pattern considerations:
Horizontal is straightforward and works well for most users
Hourglass adds vertical movement which some users find more engaging
Try both to see which feels most effective for you
Ball Size (Visual Stimulus)
If using visual bilateral stimulation, you can adjust the size of the moving ball.
Size options:
Small
Medium
Large
How to adjust:
Tap the ball size field
Select your preferred size
Tips for choosing size:
Larger sizes are easier to track but may feel more dominant
Smaller sizes are subtler but require more focus
Medium works well for most users
Stimulus Type
Choose whether you want visual stimulation, audio stimulation, or both.
Options:
Visual: A ball moves from side to side on screen
Audio: Alternating tones play in left and right ears (requires headphones)
Both: Combined visual and audio stimulation
How to adjust:
Tap the stimulus type field
Select your preferred option
Considerations:
Visual stimulation is the most common and requires no additional equipment
Audio stimulation allows you to close your eyes during processing
Combined stimulation provides the strongest bilateral effect
If using audio, stereo headphones are required for proper alternating effect
Saving Your Preferences
EmEase will remember your most recent settings for future sessions. To save your current configuration:
Adjust all settings to your preference
Complete a session with these settings
They will become the default for your next session
You can always change individual settings before starting a new session.
Starting Your Session
Once you've configured your settings:
Review your selections
Tap the Begin Session button
Your session will start with a brief countdown
During the session, you can always:
Pause the session using the pause button
Return to setup by tapping "Back to Setup"
End the session early if needed
Recommended Settings for Beginners
If you're new to EmEase, these settings provide a good starting point:
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Processing Sets: Enabled with 30-second intervals
Movement Speed: Medium
Movement Pattern: Horizontal
Ball Size: Medium
Stimulus Type: Visual
As you become more familiar with the process, experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
Remember that there are no "perfect" settings—the best configuration is the one that helps you process effectively while feeling comfortable and engaged.